{"id":300942,"date":"2026-05-05T15:36:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/300942\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:36:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:36:14","slug":"could-changes-to-the-nba-draft-lottery-benefit-sacramento","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/300942\/","title":{"rendered":"Could Changes To The NBA Draft Lottery Benefit Sacramento?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The proposed overhaul of the NBA Draft Lottery could dramatically reshape how teams approach the regular season, and according to Sactown Sports\u2019 Matt George<\/a>, that\u2019s exactly why it could benefit a team like the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n

Under the league\u2019s reported \u201c3-2-1\u201d model,<\/a> the NBA Draft Lottery would no longer heavily reward the league\u2019s worst teams. Instead, it would shift the incentive structure toward competitiveness, giving teams just outside the playoff picture the best odds while penalizing the bottom three teams.<\/p>\n

For George, that philosophical shift is long overdue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the NBA, they\u2019re addressing tanking, but they\u2019re fixing the middle,\u201d George explained on his latest podcast.<\/a> \u201cNow, teams are compelled to play all 82 games. Teams are compelled, even if they\u2019re out of the playoff mix, to still fight for their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CHICAGO<\/p>\n

(Photo by Jeff Haynes\/NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More on the NBA Draft Lottery<\/p>\n

That change could eliminate the late-season tanking that has frustrated fans and players alike. Rather than encouraging teams to lose to improve their odds in the NBA Draft Lottery, the new system would reward those who continue to compete.<\/p>\n

George emphasized how that impacts the viewing experience: \u201cIt makes games more compelling, makes games more interesting. From a fan standpoint, that conversation goes away.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a team like Sacramento \u2014 coming off a 22-60 season but still developing a young core \u2014 the new structure could be especially beneficial. Instead of choosing between development and draft positioning, the Kings could prioritize both.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this case of the Sacramento Kings, focus on the development. Let that group just play together, try and win as many games as possible, even if they miss the playoffs,\u201d George said. \u201cThat\u2019s okay, because they still have as good of odds as anybody to get the number one overall pick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SECAUCUS,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Steven Freeman\/NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

That balance is the key difference. In the current system, winning late in the season can hurt lottery odds. In the proposed NBA Draft Lottery, it could actually help \u2014 or at least not penalize \u2014 teams for competing.<\/p>\n

There is still risk involved. As George noted, teams could fall into the middle tier and miss out on top odds altogether: \u201cMaybe they end up at seven, eight, or nine or 10, and they don\u2019t get as good of odds.\u201d<\/p>\n

But that uncertainty is part of the appeal. Instead of incentivizing losing, the league would lean into what George called \u201cthe chaotic randomness of the NBA Draft Lottery.\u201d<\/p>\n

And for the Kings \u2014 a franchise trying to build sustainably \u2014 that might be exactly the kind of change they need.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast<\/a> on Apple & Spotify. You can also watch all episodes of The Matt George Podcast on the Sactown Sports YouTube page<\/a> & SactownSports.com.<\/p>\n

You can also hear Matt on Sactown Sports alongside Kayla Anderson on The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a>, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n

Sunday, May 10th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft Lottery
\nThursday, June 4th\u2013 NBA Finals begin
\nThursday, June 25th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)
\nFriday, June 26th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

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